October Newsletter | Sorogi Health
October is ‘We Lift as We Climb’ Month
The quote of the month: “The true measure of success is not how high you climb, but how many people you bring with you along the way.” – Mary Church Terrell
We Lift as We Climb: Building Health Together
Last month, our grocery store tour brought the DASH diet to life, showing how mindful choices can transform everyday shopping. By focusing on whole grains, lean proteins, colorful produce, and low sodium options, participants learned how to recalibrate their diets with health in mind. Pairing nutrition education with hands on tips made it clear that small shift at the grocery store can lead to big impacts for long term wellness.
This month, our focus is on how we rise by supporting one another, lifting as we climb towards better health. Every choice we make, from filling our grocery baskets with heart healthy foods to cooking nourishing meals, helps strengthen not just ourselves but also our community.
September Spotlight: All Things SNAP-Ed
This month, our SNAP-Ed community embraced the spirit of We Lift as We Climb through a variety of fitness, nutrition and cooking classes that encouraged growth and support at every step. Coach Nicole guided participants through inclusive workouts that built both strength and confidence, while Andrea Troutner, RD, and Wintana Kiros, RD provided practical tools with sessions on the DASH diet, carb counting and smart grocery shopping. We closed the month with an interactive cooking demo, bringing healthy meals to life in the kitchen. Each class reflected out commitment to lifting one another up, showing that by learning together, we climb closer to lasting health and wellness.
Stay connected with us @SorogiHealth across all platforms (Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, X/Twitter, and Facebook) for regular updates, helpful tips, and resources tailored to support a healthier lifestyle.
September Highlights: Healthy Cooking in Action
Last month at Sorogi. We celebrated how cooking together can be more than just preparing meals- it’s an opportunity to lift each other up on the journey to better health. Through our healthy cooking demonstrations, participants not only learned how small changes like using fresh ingredients or trying new recipes can lead to lasting wellness but also shared their own tips and encouragement with one another. Each session became a reminder that as we take steps toward our personal health goals, we can inspire and empower others to climb alongside us, one meal at a time.
In Person Events
Throughout September, we hosted one live SNAP-Ed events on September 27th 11:00 am EST. Check out the recipe in detail with the nutrition highlights below
Check out the recipe in detail with the nutrition highlights below
Recipe: Butternut Squash Soup
Ingredients:
2 large butternut squash peeled, seeded, cubed
2 medium carrots, peeled, chopped
1 large onion, peeled, chopped
8 cloves garlic, peeled, minced
4 cups vegetable broth
4 cups of after
4 Tbs olive oil
1 inch ginger, peeled, minced (1 thumb-sized piece or ¼ teaspoon ground ginger)
2 Tbs apple cider vinegar
2 Tsp paprika – smoked or sweet, your choice
1 tsp sea salt (adjust to taste)
Back pepper to taste
Directions:
Prep
Peel, seed and cube butternut squash
Peel and chop carrots and onion
Peel and mince garlic and ginger
Make
Preheat foodi crispi/ air fryer to 400 F (Air Roast/ Air Fry Setting)
Toasts in squash, carrots, onions, garlic, and ginger with olive oil, salt, pepper and paprika
Roast 20-25 minutes shaking halfway until caramel iced and tender
Transfer roasted veggies to the Instant Pot. Add 4 cups vegetable broth and 4 cups water
Seal and set to High Pressure, 8 minutes
Natural release 10 minutes, and then quick release
Use an immersion blender (or transfer to blender carefully in batches) to purée until silky
Stir in apple cider vinegar
Taste and adjust seasoning. Add more hit water/broth if too tick
Pair with a serving of Greek yogurt
Stay tuned for more opportunities to join us as we cook, learn, and grow together.
Virtual Events
We hosted a virtual cooking demonstration last month on September 25th 6:00 pm EST. Registered Dietitian Wintana Kiros outdid herself last month.
Check out the recipe in detail with the nutrition highlights below
Recipe: One Pot Chicken Chili
Ingredients:
2 Tbs olive oil
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 bell peppers, chopped mixed colors, seeded
1 tsp salt
2 tsp chili powder
2 taps ground cumin
1 tsp paprika
1 (28 oz.) can fire roasted crushed tomatoes, crushed
2 (15 oz.) cans red kidney beans drained & rinsed
3 cups cooked and shredded rotisserie chicken, shredded
2 cups low sodium chicken broth
Fresh cilantro, chopped garnish
Directions:
Prep
Chop onion
Mince garlic
Drain and rinse kidney beans
Shred chicken
Make
In a large pot, heat olive oil over low-medium heat. Add onions and garlic. Salute for 3-5 minutes, until onions are translucent and peppers, salt, chili power, cumin and paprika.
Increase to high heat and stir in crushed tomatoes, beans, shredded chicken and broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cover. Cook for 10 minutes.
Garnish with chopped cilantro.
We’re now averaging 30 participants per session (virtually and in person)—thank you for your enthusiasm and support!
Our next virtual cooking demonstration is scheduled for October 23rd, 2025, at 6:00 PM EST.
Our next live cooking demonstration is scheduled for October 18th, 2025, at 11:00 AM EST.
Be sure to follow us @SorogiHealth on Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter, and LinkedIn to stay informed about upcoming events!
Your Health Matters Podcast Season 3 Episode 4
This month’s Your Health Matters Podcast highlighted the voices of Sorogi’s interns, Faith Ogini, Katrina Sookraj, and Ruth Demessie, as they reflected on their growth and the impact of serving our community.
Each intern entered expecting to gain skills for their own academic journey, but they discovered something more powerful: in lifting others, they themselves climbed higher.
Their experiences show that as they advanced in their own careers, they also elevated participants by offering compassion, knowledge, and support.
The lesson is clear: when we rise, we carry others with us. Sorogi’s mission thrives because every step forward for one person strengthens the whole community.
Step by Step: Sorogi’s Fitness Hub
Our weekly strength and conditioning classes are held virtually and designed for all fitness levels. Nicole our fitness instructor provides encouragement, motivation, and that’s xtra boost of energy when you are running low. No special equipment is needed! You can use your body weight or grab a couple of water bottles or cans for added resistance.
There are many benefits to strength training that can improve your health.
Make your stronger
Burns calories efficiently
Decreases abdominal fat
Can help you appear leaner
Decreases your risk of falls
Improves heart health
Health manages your blood sugar levels
Promote greater mobility and flexibility
Improve mental health
Makes your bone stronger
Improve brain health
Promotes a better quality of life
Look Out for our October Blog Posts!
Blogs are posted on the 1st and 3rd weeks of each month!
October is ‘We Lift as We Climb’ Month. We encourage you to:
Take a few minutes to explore our resources focused on nourishment, rest, and self-care
Reflect on simple, intentional ways to restore your energy and prioritize your wellbeing, one habit at a time.
What’s New at Sorogi: Recipe Library & 1:1 Coaching!
At Sorogi, we believe wellness grows stronger when we support one another. That’s why this month we are rolling out new tools and program designed to help you take the next step forward:
Recipe Library Live!
Our brand-new recipe library is now available is on the Sorogi Portal! Each recipe comes with step-by-step instructions, ingredients amount of full nutrition facts, and options to adjust carbs, fat and protein. It has never been easier to create melas that can fit your goals and lifestyle.
1:1 Coaching!
We have officially launched out 1:1 session with our nutritionist and fitness instructors. These personalized meetings will help you fine-tune your wellness plan, understand your body’s needs, and feel more confident on your journey. Fitness classes offered every Tuesday at 6pm EST.
Recruitment is now open for our fall cohort. Visit sorogi.com to sign up and join us as we lift together toward healthier, stronger lives.
Our Programs
We offer a variety of programs designed to help individuals manage or prevent chronic health conditions:
Diabetes Prevention Program
Every Monday at 5pm EST
Diabetes Self-Management Program
Every Tuesday-Thursday at 6pm EST
Hypertension Management Program
Every other Monday at 6pm EST
Weight Loss Program
Every Saturday at 10:30AM-11:30AM EST
Nutrition Education
Every other Thursday at 6pm EST
Come Check us out!
We recently updated our website! Come Check us out and leave us a comment on the contact page!
Thank you for being a part of the Sorogi Health community. We’re excited for what is ahead! Please feel free to give us a call at (202) 594-9994, visit our website, or stop by our office 4514 Benning Rd. SE Washington DC 20019. See you soon!